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Re: information request: lambsquarters (fwd)
In article <9410221457.AA04250@sunsite.oit.unc.edu> you write:
> Hi! For my B.Sc. (Agric)- horticulture undergraduate project I am examining
> different seed treatments of lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album L.) in order to
> obtain information for a better method to increase harvestable yield of
> herbage. Yes herbage!
> I am examining this plant as it is a suitable potherb and there is a market
> for it (and it tastes good too!).
> I am looking for information about:
> - edible uses, culture, other uses (ie. cover crop, forage)
Here is what the "Plants for a Future" plant database has to say about it ...
Latin name: Chenopodium album
Botanical references: 17
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Common name: Fat hen
Habit: Annual
Deciduous/Evergreen:
Height: 0.9
Width: 0.2
Hardyness:
Range: Britain.
Habitat: A common weed of cultivated g
Soil: LMH
Shade: N
Moisture: M
Well-drained: 0
Nitrogen fixer: 0
pH: ANB
Acid: 0
Alkaline: 0
Saline: 0
Wind:
Growth rate:
Pollution:
Poor soil: 0
Drought: 0
Wildlife: 0
Woodland: 0
Meadow: 0
Wall: 0
In leaf:
Flowering time: 7 - 10
Seed ripens: 8 - 10
Flower Type: H
Pollinators: Wind
Self-fertile:
Known hazards: The leaves and seeds of all
members of this genus are
more or less edible.
However, many of the species
in this genus contain
saponins, though usually in
quantities too small to do
any harm. Although toxic,
saponins are poorly absorbed
by the body and most pass
straight through without any
problem. They are also
broken down to a large
extent in the cooking
process. Saponins are found
in many foods, such as some
beans. The plants also
contain some oxalic acid,
which in large quantities
can lock up some of the
nutrients in the food, but
they are very nutritious
vegetables in reasonable
quantities. There is also a
report that very large
quantities of the leaves
have caused photosensitivity
in some people[74]. Only the
raw leaves can cause
problems, and then only if
large quantities are
consumed[172].
Synonyms: C. reticulatum.
Cultivation details: Succeeds on most soils, but
dislikes shade[1, 200].
Prefers a moderately fertile
soil[200].
In moderate amounts this
plant is a good companion
for potatoes, corn and
cucurbits[20, 54].
Responds directly to the Mg
content of the soil so it
can be used as an
indicator[114].
Occassionally cultivated as
a food crop,[46] there is at
least one named
variety[183]. Called
'Magenta' in reference to
the colour of its leaves, it
is considered by some people
to be the best tasting of
all potherbs[183].
Edible uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 4,
5, 9, 12, 20, 54, 62, 102].
A very acceptable spinach
substitute[183]. The leaves
are best not eaten raw, see
notes at the top of the
page[74]. The leaves are
generally very nutritious
but very large quantities
can disturb the nervous
system and cause gastric
pain[74]. The leaves contain
about 3.9% protein, 0.76%
fat, 8.93% carbohydrate, 3%
ash[179].
Edible seed - dried and
ground into a meal and eaten
raw or baked into a
bread[[2, 4, 12, 14, 54,
102, 183]. The seed can also
be sprouted and added to
salads[183]. The seed is
very fiddly to harvest and
use due to its small
size[9]. The seed should be
soaked in water overnight
and thoroughly rinsed before
it is used in order to
remove any saponins. Seeds
contain about 49%
carbohydrate, 16% protein,
7% ash, 5.88% ash[114, 179].
Young inflorescences -
cooked[183].
Medicinal: Antiphlogistic,
antirheumatic,
odontalgic[172].
Uses notes: A green dye is obtained
from the young shoots[99].
The crushed fresh roots are
a mild soap substitute[106].
Propagation 1: Seed - sow spring in situ.
Usually self-sows freely in
most soils.
Cultivars: -
Heavy clay: 0
Last update:16/12/93
Record checked: -
--
Nikki Locke,Trumphurst Ltd.(PC & Unix consultancy) nikki@trmphrst.demon.co.uk
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